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The AdveNture:

Kaleidoscopes reflect light off and through colourful objects to create beautiful patterns. The image of ordinary objects is reflected on two or three mirrors, through a triangular prism (triangular tube), before it reaches your eye, changing what you see.

Build your own kaleidoscope and explore the world of reflected images.

Do:

• Start with a tube about 20-30 cm in length. This will be the body for your kaleidoscope.

• Connect your rectangular mirrors along their edges with tape or glue to create a hollow triangular prism (tube). Change what you see by changing the angle between the mirrors.

• Slide the triangular prism into the outer body tube. • For a different look, use two mirrors and a piece of black construction

paper to create the triangular prism. • Use black construction paper to make an eyepiece and attach it to one end of the

kaleidoscope.• Create a space for your colourful items at the other end of the kaleidoscope. Use plastic

wrap, a small baggy, plastic discs or something else. Make sure the material is see-through, and that you can see shapes and colours through it.

• Hold the tube up to one eye and look through it. Turn it and watch your own light show!

MONKEY CITY Creative Expression CUB KALEIDOSCOPE

PlaN:

• Where will you do this adventure? Indoors, outdoors or at camp? • What will you use to fill your kaleidoscope? • How will you design your kaleidoscope? • How many mirrors will you use in your design? • Do you need to cut any plastic or mirrors? What tools will you

need? Do you know how to use these tools safely?

Review:

• What do you know now that you did not know before? • What did you see when you looked through your kaleidoscope? What do you think

is happening inside the kaleidoscope? • How can you change what you see through your kaleidoscope? • How could you use what you learned today to build a telescope or periscope? • What elements of STEM were in this adventure? Science? Technology?

Engineering? Mathematics?

Materials:

• Mirror acrylic sheets (or other reflecting material)• Tube (cardboard, plastic or PVC)• See-through material such as a small baggy, plastic wrap or wax paper• Elastic• Glue and tape• Paper/bristle board• Foam pieces• Beads, glitter, sequins or other colourful, see-through or reflective objects

ONliNe Resources:

• How to make a kaleidoscope • Making a Kaleidoscope • All Things Reflected • Kaleidoscope Physics • Kaleidoscope

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CUB KALEIDOSCOPE

• When looking through your kaleidoscope, be sure to stand still to avoid tripping or bumping into other Cub Scouts.